Note-sheet-shifting mechanism for player-pianos.



C. J. JOHNSON.

NOTE SHEET SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. I916.

1,188,076. Patented June 20,1916.

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NOTE SHEET SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER PIANOS.

. I APPLICATION FILED JAN. H, 1916. 1,188,076.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NOTE-SHEET-SHIF'IING MECHANISM FOR PLAYER-PIANOS.

Application filed January 11, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known. that I, CHARLES J. JonNsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Note- Sheet- Shifting Mechanism for Player- Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, and has for its object the production of mechanism of this character which will be adapted to afford means for effecting shifting of the note sheet of a player piano notwithstanding that the edges of the note sheet may be mutilated.

In pneumatically operated note sheet mechanism in use at the present time for effecting automatic shifting or adjusting of the note sheet in order to secure proper alinement of the perforations therein with the openings in the tracker bar, proper operation of the mechanism is dependent upon the note sheet having unmutilated or unfrayed edges. This being so in the event of a note sheet having mutilated or frayed edges being played, the pneumatic note sheet shifting mechanism will not only not serve its purpose of keeping the note sheet in proper position upon the tracker bar, but will, on the contrary, serve to aggravate matters and shift the sheet to inoperative position upon the tracker bar and thus make it impossible to render the selection. The above is true for the reason that all pneumatically operated note sheet mechanisms in use at the present time comprise openings in the tracker bar of the piano which are adapted for engagement under the extreme ec ges of the note sheet, one or the other of said openings being uncovered upon shifting of the note sheet from its proper position relative to the tracker bar. Upon the uncovering of one of said openings as mentioned the mechanism is automatically operated to shift the note sheet into proper position. Hence with this arrangement it is apparent that in the case of a note sheet being used which has a mutilated edge, as the mutilated portion passes one or the other Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1916.

Serial No. 71,450.

of the openings in the tracker bar, the opening will be exposed, just as though the note sheet were really in inoperative position, with the result of effecting shifting of the note sheet even though at the time the same may be in proper position.

The present invention aims to provide pneumatically operated means and also manually operated means for effecting shifting of the note sheet together with means for rendering inoperative the pneumatically op- I erated means, so that in the event of a-note sheet having a mutilated edge being played the pneumatically operated means may be rendered inoperative and only the manually operated means relied upon for effecting the shifting of the note sheet.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the note sheet carrying portion of a player piano to which is applied note sheet shifting mechanism embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4: is a section taken on line 4:'4: of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a section taken on substantially line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and Figs. 6 and 7 are sections taken on lines 66 and 7-7 respectively of Fig. 5.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings is used in conjunction with a player piano in which rollers 10 and 11 are provided for accommodating the note sheet. Between said rollers is ar ranged the conventional tracker bar against which the note sheet is adapted to travel in the passage of the same from one roller to theothcr. The roller 11 is mounted to permit of longitudinal shifting of the same as is usual in order to effect shifting of the note sheet in securing proper registration of the same with the tracker bar. Such shifting of roller 11 is effected by means of a shifting fork 14 which is fulcrumed at 13 the upper end thereof engaging with a channel pulley 15 provided upon one end of the spindle of roller 11. The lower end of fork 14: is connected by means of a link 16 with a rocker arm 17 projecting from a rocker shaft 18 suitably mounted in brackets as shown. The arrangement is such as will be seen that rocking of the shifting fork 13 in order to effect the desired shifting of roller 11 is secured by simply oscillating the shaft 18.

The pneumatically operated means for effecting automatic shifting of the note sheet embodies a pair of bellows 19 and 19" each of which has a movable side 20, said sides 20 being connected by rods 21 so that the same move in unison. \Vith this arrangement it will be seen that when one bellows is collapsed the other will be distended, and vice versa. Communicating with each bellows is an air chamber which also communicates with the outside atmosphere through a passage 23 as clearly shown in Fig. l. Provided below the chamber 22 is a vacuum chamber 24, the latter chamber being formed between members and 26 which are rigidly connected together, being securely mounted upon the frame work of the player piano. In. the operation of the mechanism the air is withdrawn from the chamber 2% through a pipe 24k which is in communication with a pump or other sue tion mechanism, not shown. The vacuum chamber 24 communicates with each of the air chambers 22 through a port 27. An an gular valve head 28 is arranged in each of the chambers 22 and carries valves 29 and 30, the valve 29 being arranged to hold the corresponding port 27 normally closed and the valve 30 being arranged to close the corresponding port when the valve head swings to open the port 27. Said valve head is swiugingly secured in position by means of a hinge 31 formed preferably of fabric. Formed in the member 25 directly below each air chamber 22 is an intermittent vacuum chamber 32 which is separated from chamber 34 by means of a flexible diaphragm 33, each of the chambers 32 being connected by a passage 3 1 with a flexible tube 35, the tubes 35 communicating with the terminal openings 36 in the tracker bar 12 as will be readily understood. Provided below the member 25 as clearly shown in Fig. '7 is a bleeder vacuum chamber 37 which is in constant communication with each of the chambers 32 through minute bleeder openings 38 which communicate with the passages 31 as shown. A rod 39 is slidably mounted in a suitable bracket 40 and contacts with the corresponding diaphragm 33 and the corresponding valve 29, so that upward movement of the diaphragm 33 into the chamber 34 will raise the corresponding responding chamber tl'irough the corre spomfling tube 35, thus destroying the vacuum normally maintained in said chamber 32, and causing the corresponding diaphragm 33 to be drawn upwardly toward chamber 21 by the vacuum which is maintained therein. This operates the cone sponding valve 29 and closes the cm'responding valve 30 so that a vacuum is also formed in the corresponding chamber 22 causing collapse of the corresponding bellows 19 or 19 with the result of moving the sides 20 of the bellows either to the right or left, as the case may be. One of the sides 20 is connected by means of a link 41 with a rocker arm 42 provided upon the shaft 18. This being so, movement of said bellows sides, as mentioned, effects rocking of the shaft 18 with the result of actuating the note sheet roller 11 to automatically shift the note sheet back to central position upon exposure of either one of the openings 36 as above de scribed.

As before pointed out, this pneumatic means of automatically maintaining the note sheet in proper relation with the tracker bar is effective only when the edges of the note sheet are unmutilated. In order however to provide for the manual shifting of the note sheet when desired, a valve 4.3 is provided in the chamber 24 for closing the suction passage leading .from saidv chamber as clearly shown in F 6 and 7. The valve 13 is carried by an arm 11 which is pivotally connected with the member by means of a hinge 15 of fabric. Said valve is held in open position by means of a crank 46 formed upon a stem 47 which is rockingly mounted between the members 25 and 26, the inner end thereof being mounted in a suitable bearing 48'. This bearing 48 serves to hold the stem l7 against longitudinal movement in one direction, a collar 49 serving to hold said stein against longitudinal movement in the other direction. to stem 47 by means of a set screw 50 the outer end of which protrudes from said collar so as to serve as a contact member adapted for engagement with stop pins 51 and 52 which limit the oscillatory movement of said stem to approximately ninety degrees. The crank 46 is adapted to engage against the Said collar is secureda it.

under side of the free end of arm 44:, and is adapted, when in elevated position, to hold the valve 43 in open position, as will be readily understood. When it is desired to render inoperative the pneumatic mechanism, it is only necessary to rotate the stem I? so as to carry the, crank 416 to horizontal position as shown in Figs. (3 and 7 where upon, the valve 43 will drop by gravity to closing position. The outer end of stem 47 projects exteriorly as seen so as to permit of ready manual engagement thereof in actuating the same.

Manual actuation of the note sheet shifting mechanism, after closing of the valve 4L3, is effected through a rocker arm 53 which projects from the lower end of shaft 18, said rocker arm being connected by means of a link M with a pivotal handle 55 which is fulcrumed at 56. It will be seen that rock ing of the shaft 18 and hence actuation of the note sheet shifting mechanism is effected by simply rocking the member 55.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of a pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; and manually operable means for rendering inoperative said pneumatically operated means, substantially as described.

2. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; a valve adapted, in one position, to render inoperative said pneumatically operated means; and means for moving said valve to and holding the same in one of its positions, substantially as described.

3. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; and rockingly mounted means for moving said valve to and holding the same in one of its positions, substantially as described.

4. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; a valve adapted, in one position, to render inoperative said pneumatically operated means; and a rockingly mounted stem having a crank adapted to engage with said valve to move the same to and hold the same in one of its positions, substantially as described.

5. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; a valve adapted, in one position, to render inoperative said pneumatically operated means; a rockingly mounted stem having a crank adapted to engage with said valve to move the same to and hold the same in one of its positions; and means for limiting movement of said stem through an angularity of substantially ninety degrees, substantially as described.

6. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; a valve adapted, in one position, to render inoperative said pneumatically operated means; a rockingly mounted stem having a crank adapted to engage with said valve to move the same to and hold the same in one of its positions; a collar on said stem for locking the same against longitudinal movement; a set screw for securing said collar to said stem; and stationary stops adapted for engagement by said set screw to limit movement of said Stem through an angularity of substantially ninety degrees, substantially as described.

7. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of pneumatically operated means for shifting the note sheet; manually operated means for shifting said note sheet; a normally closed valve,

adapted when closed, to render inoperative said pneumatically operated means; and manually operated means for moving said valve to and holding the same in open position, substantially as described.

8. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of an oscillatory member adapted, when oscillated, to effect shifting of the note sheet; pneumatically operated means operatively connected with said oscillatory member for effecting automatic shifting of the note sheet; a manually operable handle eperatively connected with said oscillatory member for effecting manual shifting of the note sheet; and means for rendering inoperative said pneumatically operated means, substantially as described.

9. In a note sheet shifting mechanism for player pianos, the combination of an oscillatory shaft, adapted when oscillated, to effect rocker arms for effecting automatic shifting of two subscribing witnesses.

shifting of the note sheet; a pair of rocker ope :ative said pneumatically operated means, 10 arms on said shaft whereby the latter may substantially as described.

be operated; pneumatically operated means In testimony whereof I have signed my operatively connected With one of said name to this specification inthe presence of the note sheet; a manually operated handle CHARLES J. JOHNSON. operatively connected with the other of said \Vitnesses: 1 rocker arms for effecting manual shifting of ARTHUR A. OLSON; the note sheet; and means for rendering in- HELEN F. Linus.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Oommluioner of Patents, Washington. 1)., G." 

